UK COVID-19: Dealing With Flexible Working Requests Post COVID-19

As a result of the UK government's decision in the summer to lift restrictions in respect of office working, employers across the country have been re-opening their doors and encouraging their workforce to return to the office. However, with many employees reporting that they have enjoyed the benefits of working from home, and some saying they are also more productive when doing so, we are seeing a surge in requests for flexible working arrangements. This article considers the legal position in respect of flexible working requests and provides employers with some tips on how to respond to them post Covid-19.

The Current Law

Irrespective of whether an employer has an agile working policy in place, employees with at least 26 weeks' continuous service can make a flexible working request under the UK's statutory flexible working scheme. The request to work flexibly can relate to a change in the hours they work, the days when they are required to work and their place of